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TriMet aims to replace old-school newsprint transfersThis summer, depending on the success of a pilot program, TriMet hopes to replace the decades-old newsprint punch transfer system with more modern computer-printed tickets. The new system should simplify things for both the driver and the passengers.

The Federal Transit Administration on Thursday dismissed a complaint that claimed TriMet unlawfully reduced fare transfer times to make more money off of weekend riders when it installed new bus printers last year.

However, the FTA also rejected TriMet's long-running claim that tinkering with its transfer policy wasn't the same thing as a fare change requiring a thorough civil-rights analysis. In fact, the local bus rider advocacy group behind the complaint says the federal agency closed the case based on a technicality and lucky timing.

Previously, when drivers punched and tore flimsy transfer slips, weekend riders would regularly get transfers of three hours or more on a $2.50 ticket, OPAL said.

Now, according to OPAL, many transit-dependent riders must buy a $5 day pass for round trips to go to the grocery store, doctor's appointments or run errands on weekends.

At the heart of the group's complaint was a decision made by the TriMet board two years ago.

TriMet's code says bus transfers "manually issued" by drivers should be valid for an hour longer on Saturdays and Sundays. But on June 13, 2012, the agency added an amendment for "printer issued" bus transfers, saying they are good for "two hours from the time of purchase."

OPAL insisted that TriMet failed to conduct a required Title Six civil-rights review of the new fare system before changing the language and effectively raising more revenue off of those who can least afford it.

New rules adopted by the FTA in October 2012 now clearly require transit agencies to conduct an "equity analysis" of any proposed changes to fare transfer changes.

But since TriMet altered its code for the printers four months earlier, the FTA said it "does not find TriMet noncompliant."

Federal officials, however, made it clear that changing the time for which a ticket is valid directly affects a rider's ability to access and afford public transit. Therefore, it needs to be studied, the FTA said.

"The FTA views a change in transfer policy the same as a change in any fare medium," the ruling stated.

TriMet officials released a statement, claiming that it had been exonerated of any wrongdoing. "The FTA said the complaint was untimely and that a transit equity analysis was not required under federal guidelines in effect at the time of the complaint," it stated.

However, Jonathan Ostar, OPAL's executive director, said the verdict was actually a victory for his group.

"The FTA unequivocally stated that any change to the transfer policy requires a fare equity analysis," he said. "This was the crux of what low-income transit riders were asking for, and they were vindicated."

It's unclear if the board will now revive the plan to extend transfer times for single-ride fares.

"It is up to the board whether TriMet moves forward with any changes," said TriMet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt in an email. "If the board does want to go forward with that, the agency would need to perform a transit equity analysis before it could be considered per the new FTA's guidance."